William L. Maiola

William L. Maiola, 68, passed away on February 25, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie R. and Gabriel L. Maiola. He is survived by his wife Grace Ramos Maiola and his children Alexander Ramos Maiola (Ashley) and Whitney Maiola Hesse (Scott). Born on February 18, 1948 in New Rochelle, NY, Bill’s family moved to California in 1965. He graduated from California State University and married his college sweetheart, Grace, in 1970. Bill’s career took him across the country to Stamford CT and then Boston, MA, with executive roles at General Foods, General Cinema Corp. and Marketing Corporation of America. In 1989, Bill joined The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, GA where he led the Food Service sales organization and other business units including Hardees, the Global 7-11 team, and Global New Business Development. He became EVP for Marketing and Business Development at Catalina Marketing, St Petersburg, FL in 2006. They fell in love with the Tampa area and maintain a residence there. He continued an active consulting practice and spearheaded several entrepreneurial ventures in his retirement. Bill’s insightful intellect, passion for strategy and leadership, and agile wit made him an indispensible business partner to customer and company executives alike. His was a spirited, gregarious, and big personality resonating in a passionate joy of life. Nowhere was this clearer than in his love of his family, his greatest source of reward and pride and undeniably his deepest joy. Diagnosed in 2012 with non-smoker lung cancer, Bill came to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta. Inspired by the dedicated physicians and pioneering research there, Bill and Grace created The Maiola Family Fund for Lung Cancer Research in 2014. Visitation is planned for 3-5 PM Sunday, February 28 at Patterson Funeral Home, 173 Allen Road NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. A Rosary Service will take place at 4:30 PM. A funeral mass is planned for Monday, February 29 at 11 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4465 Northside Dr., Atlanta, GA 30327. A reception follows immediately at the church. Graveside services will follow the reception at Arlington Memorial Park. Those desiring an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial donation to The Maiola Family Fund For Cancer Research, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, 1762 Clifton Rd. Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322.